At the Julia Ideson Building at 500 McKinney, watch out for the spirit of caretaker Jacob Frank Cramer and Petey, a German shepherd dog who would follow Cramer during his night rounds. Listen for clicking sounds made by Petey's toenails on the tile floor. less

At the Julia Ideson Building at 500 McKinney, watch out for the spirit of caretaker Jacob Frank Cramer and Petey, a German shepherd dog who would follow Cramer during his night rounds. Listen for clicking ... more

Photo: Billy Smith II, Chronicle

At the Julia Ideson Building at 500 McKinney, watch out for the... Photo-1497138.27854 - Houston Chronicle

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As visitors walk through the dim hallways and the grand atrium in the center of the Julia Ideson Building, architectural relief sculptures on the tops of columns add to the mystique of the facility. The building is said to be haunted by a violin-playing ghost. less

As visitors walk through the dim hallways and the grand atrium in the center of the Julia Ideson Building, architectural relief sculptures on the tops of columns add to the mystique of the facility. The ... more

Photo: Carlos Antonio Rios, Houston Chronicle

As visitors walk through the dim hallways and the grand atrium in... Photo-1497140.27854 - Houston Chronicle

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In 1932, Julia Bedford Ideson became the first Houston woman named to Who's Who in America. The downtown library building is named for her.

In 1932, Julia Bedford Ideson became the first Houston woman named to Who's Who in America. The downtown library building is named for her.

Elder Street Artist Lofts was once Jefferson Davis Hospital, which was built on top of a cemetery where Confederate soldiers and yellow fever victims were buried. It is said to be haunted by soldiers, doctors, nurses and patients. less

Elder Street Artist Lofts was once Jefferson Davis Hospital, which was built on top of a cemetery where Confederate soldiers and yellow fever victims were buried. It is said to be haunted by soldiers, doctors, ... more

The Elder Street Artists Lofts, formerly Jefferson Davis Hospital, at Elder and Girard might be haunted by ghosts of Civil War heroes. It was the site of a municipal cemetery in the 1840s. The hospital was built in 1924 and became lofts space in 2005. A spokeswoman says the ghosts have been replaced by muses. less

The Elder Street Artists Lofts, formerly Jefferson Davis Hospital, at Elder and Girard might be haunted by ghosts of Civil War heroes. It was the site of a municipal cemetery in the 1840s. The hospital was ... more

According to local legend, people who park on the Patterson bridge near Eldridge hear tapping noises on their cars.

According to local legend, people who park on the Patterson bridge near Eldridge hear tapping noises on their cars.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

According to local legend, people who park on the Patterson bridge... Photo-5359768.27854 - Houston Chronicle

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With several historical buildings still intact, it's no surprise Old Town Spring has multiple ghost tales. The most well-known centers on the Wunsche Bros. Cafe, a 1901 hotel and saloon that is said to still be the home of "Old Man" Charlie Wunsche. less

With several historical buildings still intact, it's no surprise Old Town Spring has multiple ghost tales. The most well-known centers on the Wunsche Bros. Cafe, a 1901 hotel and saloon that is said to still be ... more

The Peaceful Pecan tree is shown in 2001. Sam Houston negotiated a treaty with Chief Bowles under a grove of pecans that stood at the site in 1836. President Mirabeau B. Lamar invalidated the treaty, and Bowles died in the Battle of Neches in 1839. The tree is believed to be a descendant of one of the originals. Watch for the misty figure of an American Indian at midnight. less

The Peaceful Pecan tree is shown in 2001. Sam Houston negotiated a treaty with Chief Bowles under a grove of pecans that stood at the site in 1836. President Mirabeau B. Lamar invalidated the treaty, and Bowles ... more

At Slainte Irish Pub, 509 Main, keep an eye out for the silhouette of a brunette woman, but you might only hear creaks. Everything from the facade of the building to the interior woodwork was flown over from Ireland and as part of the Slainte theme (a Gaelic word for "cheers"), the decorator also came over from Ireland to help make it as authentic as possible. less

At Slainte Irish Pub, 509 Main, keep an eye out for the silhouette of a brunette woman, but you might only hear creaks. Everything from the facade of the building to the interior woodwork was flown over from ... more

La Carafe, 815 Congress, is the oldest bar in Houston and one of the oldest commercial buildings. Watch out for ghosts of John Kennedy (not related to the president), a former owner who was shot and killed outside the door; Carl, a former bartender; a playful boy upstairs; and a woman, who pushes beautiful women down stairs. less

La Carafe, 815 Congress, is the oldest bar in Houston and one of the oldest commercial buildings. Watch out for ghosts of John Kennedy (not related to the president), a former owner who was shot and killed ... more

Jamie Salinas of Houston holds a re-creation of a turn of the century seance at La Carafe wine bar on Oct. 14. At right is Beverly Stasney, 27, of The Woodlands. Gavin Connor, the manager, says: "We've seen numerous things here at La Carafe. Doors open by themselves. You think you see people walk by. There are noises. Things fly off the walls.'' less

Jamie Salinas of Houston holds a re-creation of a turn of the century seance at La Carafe wine bar on Oct. 14. At right is Beverly Stasney, 27, of The Woodlands. Gavin Connor, the manager, says: "We've seen ... more

Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Chronicle

Jamie Salinas of Houston holds a re-creation of a turn of the... Photo-1497146.27854 - Houston Chronicle

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Treebeards, 315 Travis, reportedly offers cold spots in addition to good food. A co-owner says the ghost story started with one of the bean cooks, saying the apparition's description was similar to that of an elderly tailor who shared the building with Treebeards when it opened in 1978. less

Treebeards, 315 Travis, reportedly offers cold spots in addition to good food. A co-owner says the ghost story started with one of the bean cooks, saying the apparition's description was similar to that of an ... more

The Magnolia Ballroom, 715 Franklin, offers ghost dancers and spirits hovering around rotunda ceilings. Ghost hunters two years ago reported finding four entities in the ballroom, but the grainy photos didn't convince owner Bart Truxillo. "I'm afraid I'm not a believer," he said. less

The Magnolia Ballroom, 715 Franklin, offers ghost dancers and spirits hovering around rotunda ceilings. Ghost hunters two years ago reported finding four entities in the ballroom, but the grainy photos didn't ... more

The Spaghetti Warehouse, 901 Commerce, has flickering lights and spirits around the antiques and women's first-floor restroom. The best-known of 13 spirits is that of a woman looking for her husband, who, according to legend, worked in the building when it was a pharmaceutical warehouse and died when he fell down an elevator shaft. less

The Spaghetti Warehouse, 901 Commerce, has flickering lights and spirits around the antiques and women's first-floor restroom. The best-known of 13 spirits is that of a woman looking for her husband, who, ... more